Home tour | Nordic minimalism meets original features in Lisbon
I love homes with calming, clutter-free design. And I love homes that are filled with lovingly restored period features. Occasionally, I come across a home that balances both, and my heart always starts to beat a little faster.
This stunning apartment is one such example. Located in Lisbon, it belongs to Marikken Navarsete (@third_floor_left on Instagram) and her partner, and it’s a beautiful blend of ornate early 20th-century architecture and pared-back design influenced by Marikken’s Norwegian heritage. What’s more, they’ve adopted a wonderfully intentional approach to decorating, taking time to work out what suits them and the space best before making any decisions, and not rushing into impulse buys.
I chatted to Marikken to find out more about her style, where she finds inspiration and her top interior-design tips…
Hi Marikken! Please can you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
“I’m Norwegian, but for the last nine years I’ve lived in Lisbon with my Portuguese boyfriend. I have a degree in law and now work in IT, but my heart sings for interior design. Even when I was a kid I loved rearranging my room, and I always preferred making flower arrangements in my family’s flower shop to going to kindergarten! Since then my taste has changed a lot, but the interest is definitely still there. Outside work I now enjoy spending time on interior decoration and sharing photos of our home on my Instagram account.”
Where’s home, and how long have you lived there?
“I still refer to both Norway and Portugal as home, but our apartment in the heart of Lisbon is where I spend most of my time. It’s situated in a building from the early 20th century, and I love the period features. We have lived here for just over a year now and I really appreciate being so central. Almost everything we need is within walking distance.”
Have you made many changes since moving in?
“The apartment had recently been renovated when we bought it, but we have made some changes to make it feel more personal. The kitchen has been replaced, and we have renovated the two bathrooms and painted a few of the rooms. Luckily the previous owner had kept most of the original details, such as the high ceilings, wooden floors and window shutters, and it’s been important for us to maintain these features.”
Throughout the apartment, restored original plasterwork sits alongside clean-lined Nordic design, as shown in the main bedroom with its Wishbone chair, minimalist wall-hung bedside table, mid-century modern sideboard and iconic Verner Panton ‘Flowerpot’ lamp. The bathroom next to it was one of the first rooms Marikken finished, and blends warm oak with sleek grey tiles and black fittings.
How would you describe your interiors style?
“It’s typically Scandinavian, with clean lines and neutral colours, but with a personal touch. Simplicity might be the word that best describes it. I feel calmer without too many things around me.
“I like to combine classic elements with more modern furniture, and mix different natural materials such as wood, linen, stone and wool. I’ve tried to create a base that will last, rather than following the latest trends. If I like a trend, or feel the need for a pop of colour, I usually incorporate it through smaller items such as flowers, art or textiles.”
What does home mean to you, and has that changed at all during the pandemic?
“For me it’s a place where I feel at ease and can be myself. I’m a homebody, and I already worked from home before the pandemic, so having a space where I feel comfortable has always been important to me. The last two years have definitely been strange, and we have spent more time at home than ever before. We have also put a lot of effort into home projects, but that was only natural after moving.”
High ceilings make the dining room and hallway feel spacious and airy. Marikken prefers neutral colours and timeless design, but often uses flowers and artwork to incorporate hints of colour and nods to current trends.
Where do you find inspiration for your home?
“I can find inspiration in anything from nature to a walk through the city, and I also get inspired by other people’s homes and new places I visit. Apart from that, I of course find a lot of ideas on social media – mostly Instagram and Pinterest. There are so many talented people out there who inspire me every day.”
What’s your favourite part of your home and why?
“I love all the old architectural features of the apartment but the arched windows in our living room are probably my favourites. It was love at first sight when I saw them, and I’m still obsessed with how the morning and afternoon sun creates a beautiful shadow play in the space.”
The arched windows in the living room are Marikken’s favourite part of the apartment. The sofa is from IKEA, the pouf from Bolia and the coffee table from BoConcept. There are also candles and vases from Portuguese makers such as Lily Brown and Claet.
And your favourite piece of furniture or home accessory…?
“It has to be our cast-iron bathtub. It’s a secondhand bargain that we found online, and it’s around 115 years old – a similar age to our apartment. We had it restored and varnished black to complement the other black details around our home. The legs are shaped as tulips, which are among my favourite flowers. We just had it installed and I can’t wait to take long, warm soaks there on cold winter days!”
Where do you like to source items for your home – any favourite brands or shops?
“Our things are a mix of high-street brands, handmade items, Scandinavian design and secondhand finds. HAY, Ferm Living and Bolia are some of my favourite brands, and for budget-friendly items I often turn to H&M Home and Zara Home. I rarely make impulse purchases, and prefer to wait until I find something I know will last. I’m not a fan of the throwaway culture and try to choose items with classic design and durable natural materials. Sometimes just moving things around also helps to create a fresh look, without buying anything new.”
Marikken likes to source pre-loved pieces for the apartment, and one of her best secondhand finds is the cast-iron bathtub. It dates from the same period as the building but has been painted to match the black accents that appear in various rooms – one of the apartment’s ‘red threads’.
Do you have any future plans for your home?
“Yes, I don’t think a home will ever be finished. To me it’s a lifelong project that will keep on developing with your experiences and needs. As I spend a lot of time at home, I see possibilities everywhere. We’re still missing storage for all our books and so a built-in bookshelf is high up on the wish list. I’m also dreaming of a big glass door with a black metal frame to connect our living room to the spare room. That said, we’re doing things slowly, one thing at a time, as we’d like to be sure we’re making the right decisions.”
The guest bedroom is a simple, serene haven with natural materials and soft tones. It’s a work in progress, and Marikken is considering installing metal-framed doors on one side.
Finally, what’s your top interior-design tip?
“Don’t rush. Take the time to figure out what you like and what works in your home before buying anything new. Try to find a ‘red thread’ – a common theme – in the interior, and see your home as a whole. Using some of the same materials, colours or shapes in different rooms will create harmony. Also, don’t feel that every corner of your home needs to be decorated. Negative space creates peace and tranquility.”
Great advice to end on – thanks Marikken!
See more of Marikken’s beautiful apartment on Instagram.
All photography by Marikken Navarsete
